Bedstead-slat



NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL HICKOK, OF BUFFALO, NE\V YORK.

BEDSTEAD-SLAT.

Speccation of Letters Patent No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Hionoii, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Reversible Double-Spring Bed- Lath; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing and using two fiat strips or slats of wood, placed parallel with each other, and one above the other, fastened together, at or about the center so that the uppermost slat will balance on its fastenings at the center while each end is left free to bend or spring while at the same time the ends of the lower or under slat will rest and be supported upon the bedstead rail, so that practically the lower slat will bend or spring in the middle and the uppermost slat at the ends thereof and thus the bend or spring of the one, compensating for the bend and spring of the other, thereby serving to keep the upper slat level when in use.

The nature of my invention considered in another feature thereof consists in placing and using a coil spring between the slats near the ends thereof for the purpose of more perfectly equalizing the spring of the upper slat with the spring of the lower slat and thus securing an even and level action of the upper slat.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I prepare thin strips or slats of wood or timber which are in dimensions about three inches wide, half an inch in thickness and in length about four and a half feet (or equal to the distance .between the rails upon which they rest). These strips or slats when so prepared and used I denominate bed laths. I take two of these laths and place them parallel and one above the other, and about three and a half or four inches apart with a thin block or blocks between them at or near the center, to which blocks the laths 18,902, dated December 22, 1857.

are fastened. I also put a spring (usually a sofa spring) between them near the ends thereof.

Figure I represents two of these slats or laths as fastened to the blocks in the middle thereof and the spiral springs at the ends. IVhen thus combined and constructed I call it a reversible double spring bed lath. A represents the uppermost lath. B represents the lower lath. o, c, represent the middle blocks to which the laths are nailed or fastened. E represents the spiral spring in its position between the laths at the ends thereof. Ee, represents spiral spring. f, shows a band, or stay, of webbing which is fastened to both laths for the purpose of preventing the springs from expanding the ends of the lath above the level of the blocks and for keeping the springs in place.

Like letters refer to like parts in each of the figures.

Fig. II shows a front or edge view.

Fig. III is a top view in which the uppermost lath A and the band f are seen.

Fig. IV is an end view.

Fig. V represents a bedstead with one of my double spring bed laths as it is used therewith. It sets in small recesses G G in the rails I-I H. Six or eight of these springs are required to make a set for one bedstead. These laths can be used either side up and may be reversed as often as is required to .keep them straight.

Fig. VI, Ee, represents the spiral spring,

a common sofa spring which I prefer to use for this purpose. Other or equivalent springs could be used but not so cheaply or conveniently.

I claim- Two laths (A and B) placed parallel with each other and one above the other, and connected or fastened together at or near the center constructed and used (with or without the spiral springs) substantially as herein described.

SAML. HICKOK. Signed in presence of- WM. B. THOMAS, E. B. FoRBUsH. 

